They fell almost at the boy’s feet. The latter stooped and picked them up. He glanced at the address Jimmy had written, then looked up and nodded. He pocketed the knife and the quarter and then hurried away.
Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief, and sank into a chair. He was still there when Jones returned.
“Decided to make the best of your lot, eh?” said Jones, noticing that, apparently, the lad had given up.
“I guess I’ll have to,” was Jimmy’s reply.
“I’m glad you are that sensible. I don’t want to use force unless it is necessary.”
Now Jimmy bethought himself it would be a good plan to temporize with his captor.
“Look here, Jones,” he said, not deigning to use the prefix, “Mr.,” “I have been thinking. Why can’t we get together on this thing?”
Jones laughed amusedly.
“So you are going to try that on me,” he said. “It’s too late now, son, and I am too old a bird to be caught like that. Think you can fool me, eh, and then go back and tell Willing all about it. No. You had your chance and you refused; and to tell the truth, I am glad of it. I will be money ahead.”
Half an hour later Dick returned.